The Mitchell County Board of Supervisors has sent a letter to the Iowa Utilities Board, objecting to the use of eminent domain for the proposed Summit Carbon Pipeline that would pass through their county. The letter says the board believes each landowner should have the right to decide if the want to have carbon pipelines on their property. Lisa Ritzert of San Antonio, Texas, owns land in Mitchell County and she urged the county’s board of supervisors to fill the gap after efforts to regulate the pipeline failed in the state legislature.
Deb Freeman is among Mitchell County residents who object to the pipeline.
Supervisor Jim Wherry of Osage says the corn industry in Mitchell County supports the pipeline.
Wherry says state law prohibits county officials from having any say about the pipeline project and all authority rests with the Iowa Utilities Board.
State regulators have not indicated when they’ll make a decision on Summit’s construction permit and whether they’ll grant pipeline developers authority to seize land from unwilling property owners.
